BUFFALO, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team (0-1) battled Alfred University (1-0) evenly through 102 minutes, but the Saxons' Natalie O'Brien scored 41 seconds later to edge the Bears 1-0 in the first round of the D'Youville College Spartan Classic.
 
Alfred outshot the Bears 8-3 in the first half, but only two Saxon shots made their way to Potsdam junior goalkeeper Gabby Hobika (New Hartford, N.Y./New Hartford). The Bears countered with pressure to generate three corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes, but the teams had nothing to show for it.
 
Potsdam held the edge in play in the second half, putting five shots on Alfred goalie Hannah Fuller. However, Fuller handled them all. The Saxons created three shots, but only got one through.
 
Alfred notched the only chance of the first overtime period, but the game was still even after 100 minutes. Sophomore forward Mackenzie Bowie (Mechanicville, N.Y./Mechanicville) fired on Fuller 1:17 into the final overtime, but again the Saxon keeper corralled the attempt. Just over a minute later O'Brian picked up a long pass behind the Bears defense. Hobika charged out to challenge her, but was unable to stop the shot at the 102:41 mark.
 
Hobika finished with two saves, while Fuller stopped six to pick up the win. Alfred edged the Bears in shots 13-9, but Potsdam had eight corner kicks to the Saxons' one.
 
Potsdam looks to bounce back tomorrow afternoon as the Bears take on Bethany College for the first time in program history at noon.